Do green crackers really cause less air pollution?

Diwali firecrackers spark a debate every year due to rising air pollution, especially in the Delhi-National Capital Region. The Supreme Court has this year conditionally allowed green crackers'. But are these a genuine solution or mere 'greenwashing? Mint explains: HT

- BY RADHIKA P. NAIR

1 What led to the launch of green crackers?

The legal battle over firecrackers was sparked by air quality in Delhi-NCR plunging to life-threatening 'severe' or 'hazardous' (AQI 500+) levels during Diwali in 2016 and 2017. This led to the landmark 2018 Supreme Court judgment in the Arjun Gopal vs. Union of India case that cultural practices cannot supersede the Fundamental Right to Life (Article 21). The top court banned firecrackers that use harmful heavy metals such as barium nitrate, and directed manufacturers to develop less-polluting alternatives. This decision was the genesis of the green cracker concept.

2 What exactly are green crackers?